San Diego is the seventh largest city in the United States and the second largest in California. With a population of over 1.25 million people, it's not surprising that the city has its fair share of accidents resulting in personal injuries and even deaths. However, the city also has a very young population, with about 56 percent of its citizens under 35 years of age. San Diego personal injury lawyers will tell you that the reckless youth can attract even more accidents.
According to officials, 143 people under the age of 21 years of age in San Diego County had alcohol in their system when they died. In addition, a whopping 2,500 San Diego youth are rushed to the emergency room every year for alcohol-related injuries.
In October 2009, a teenager from Torrey Pines High School was killed in a rollover crash, while riding with a 17-year-old friend, who investigators said may have been driving under the influence of alcohol. Officials said the car accident happened in the 5000 block of La Granada in Rancho Santa Fe. Another teenager suffered critical personal injuries in the car accident and investigators said a combination of alcohol and speeding contributed may have to the crash. They also suspected that illegal drugs may have been involved.
The extent of underage drinking in San Diego is quite alarming. The 2007 California Student Survey said 14 percent of 7th graders, 27 percent of 9th graders and 42 percent of 11th graders had consumed alcohol within the previous 30 days of their having been interviewed.
Meantime, a recent study by the California Healthy Kids Survey showed that in 2007, 67 percent of 11th graders at Torrey Pines High School admitted that they had abused alcohol in the month before they were interviewed. This was a 42 percent increase from 2005. Of those surveyed, 24 percent said they had engaged in binge drinking in the past 30 days and 33 percent admitted to driving drunk or riding in a car with someone who had been drinking.
Aware of the tragic consequences of underage drinking, officials have begun to dedicate more resources to stamping out the problem. The San Diego County Alcohol Policy Panel has urged adults to act responsibly and 17 incorporated municipalities and unincorporated areas have adopted "social host" ordinances, making it illegal to host underage drinking parties. Individuals who sell or provide alcoholic beverages to a minor may be fined up to $1,000, six months in jail or both.
San Diego's Tourist Attractions Attract Accidents
Aside from its youthful population, the city is also known for being one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. Visitors can choose between the San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld, Legoland and a long list of other attractions and activities. However, San Diego personal injury attorneys also warn that tourists may be vulnerable to a number of accident injuries as well.
In July 2009, a 60-year-old retired teacher was killed in a pedicab accident. Witnesses said she fell out of the moving cab as it plied Martin Luther King Promenade and suffered fatal head injuries. Apparently, the driver was driving erratically in a pedicab-free zone. The incident triggered intense discussions on San Diego's pedicab policy and officials have considered a number of measures to make the popular tourist activity safer such as prohibiting pedicabs in areas with speed limits greater than 25 mph.
In October 2009, a policeman on vacation with his family died in a San Diego diving accident off Sunset Cliffs. Investigators said the victim ran out of air and was heavily weighted down. They also found that the boating company he had been diving with had a long history of safety violations. Despite their dubious safety record, Coast Guard officials say that it is often difficult to hold boating companies accountable for diving injuries and fatalities because dive masters usually supervise dives from above the water.
San Diego Officials Address Safety Concerns of Residents and Visitors
In a bid to make the city not only tourist-safe but tourist-friendly, officials have taken many measures. Aside from looking into the city's pedicab policies and vigilantly monitoring boating companies, San Diego officials are also drafting a plan for San Diego cops to train a bilingual police force that would be deployed south of the border.
In addition, officials have begun to crack down on factors which could contribute to serious car accidents and personal injuries. One method is through an advanced Traffic Collision Reporting System which San Diego personal injury law firms say will allow city planners to analyze car accidents more effectively so as to implement the appropriate safety programs.
In over three decades, BISNAR | CHASE lawyers have represented over six thousand people in car, motorcycle, truck, pedestrian and other personal injury cases. The law firm has an "AV" rating, the highest level of professional excellence, by Martindale-Hubbell. John Bisnar, who is the author of this article, and his partner Brian Chase each have a "Superb 10/10" Avvo rating, the highest possible. John was named a "Community Hero" by the United Way, while Brian was named a "Trial Lawyer of the Year" in 2004,one of the 2007 Top 100 Trial Lawyers, and a 2009 OC METRO Top Personal Injury Lawyer. Isn't this the legal team you want representing you? For more information on San Diego personal injury lawyers, visit the BISNAR | CHASE website at http://www.BestAttorney.com where you can get a complimentary copy of the book "The Seven Fatal Mistakes That Can Wreck Your California Personal Injury Claim" ($14.99 value), or call 1-800-561-4887 for a free consultation.
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